Apparatus for raising and lowering camper bodies, or the like



June 7, 1966 F. THOMPSON 3,254,874

APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING CAMPER BODIES, OR THE LIKE Filed July 27, 1964 INVENTOR. How/4R0 j? ZZw/v/Asa/v FIGA Fm QM Ar raw/5y United States Patent 3,254,874 APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING CAMPER BODIES, OR THE LIKE Howard F. Thompson, 9836 Elizabeth Ave., South Gate, Calif. Filed July 27, 1964, Ser. No. 385,319 8 Claims. (Cl. 254-47) The present invention relates generally to lifting devices, and more particularly to an apparatus for raising and lowering camper bodies from or onto a truck, as well as handling bulky, rectangular objects such as large crates and the like.

In recent years camper bodies have been devised and marketed which are adapted to be removably mounted on pick-up trucks whereby the vehicle may be used to not only carry equipment, but serve as temporary housing on camping trips as well. By lifting the camper body therefrom, the vehicle is immediately available for' its intended utilitarian purpose. However, camper bodies are relatively large and of substantial weight, and the vertical raising and lowering thereof relative to a vehicle presents serious problems.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a portable apparatus that may be utilized to engage a camper body when-resting on the ground surface, raise the same and move it into a position where it may be installed in the bed of a vehicle on which it is to be mounted, and then lowered into a supported position thereon, which apparatus may also be employed to remove the camper body from the vehicle and return it to the ground surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is adapted for use in handling a camper body as well as other bulky, heavy objects of generally rectangular shape without damage thereto, that is of relatively simple mechanical structure, can be manufacturedfrom standard commercial materials, requires a minimum of maintenance attention, and is easily moved from one location to another.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description thereof, and from the accompanying drawing illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of a portion of the apparatus, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus, taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus, taken on the line 55 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of lifting apparatus in position for lifting a camper body.

With continued reference to the drawing for the general arrangement of the invention, it will be seen in FIG- URE 1 to include two laterally spaced elongate side pieces A, on the rear portions of which two uprights B are mounted. Two arms C, preferably of heavy tubular stock extend inwardly towards one another from side pieces A, and are angularly positioned relative to the side pieces. An actuator D is provided (FIGURE 1) that rotatably engages adjacent end portions of the arms C. The actuator D is rotated relative to the arms C by a handle E that preferably projects forwardly and upwardly therefrom.

The rear endsof the side pieces A are movably supported by wheels F. Two brackets G project forwardly from portions of the arms C situated adjacent the side ice pieces A, with the brackets having second sets of wheels H aflixed thereto which movably support the forward portions of the side pieces as well as the arms and actuator D. Sleeves J are slidably mounted on the uprights B, and two horizontally disposed elongate members K of L shaped transverse cross section are affixed to these sleeves. The members K are capable of engaging longitudinally extending side portions of a camper body L, or other generally rectangular object, as best illustrated in FIGURE 6.

A winch M (FIGURE 1) is supported forwardly of one of the arms C by an upwardly and forwardly extending support N afiixed to one of the side pieces A, as can best be seen in FIGURE 2. The winch M includes a reel O on which two sets of cables P and Q are mounted which are concurrently wound and unwound from the reel in the raising and lowering of the elongate members K. Rotation of the actuator D by the handle E relative to the arms C results in lateral movement of the side pieces A relative to one another whereby the side pieces may be pivoted between the position shown in phantom line in FIGURE 1 and that shown in solid line therein. When the side pieces A are in the position shown in solid line in FIGURE 1, the members K are in a position to engage longitudinally extending portions of the sides of the camper body L, as can best be seen in FIGURE 6, and then vertically move the camper by rotation of the reel Q.

The camper body L (FIGURE 6) includes a top 10 and two parallel side walls 12. The lower ends of side walls 12 develop into horizontal, inwardly extending portions 14, the inner ends of which merge into two downwardly extending second side walls 16. The lower ends of the second side walls 16 are connected to the floor of the bed or bottom 18 of the camper L. The camper L, as can be seen in FIGURE 6, is provided with a rear end wall 20 in which a hinged door 22 is provided to perrnit entry into the confines of the camper when it is mounted on the bed 24 of a pick-up vehicle denoted generally in the drawing by the letter R.

Each of the sleeves I, best shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, have two oppositely extending arms 26 mounted thereon, and the inner end of each of these arms is afiixed to one of the elongate members K. Each of the elongate members K is defined by an upwardly extending flange 28 and an inwardly extending flange 30, which are positioned in a direction normal to one another, but are angularly disposed to a slight degree relative to a true horizontal plane. The purpose for this angulation is to permit only the inner edge portions 30a of flange 30 to engage the lower surface of the inner portions 14 of the camper body L, as can best be seen in FIGURE 3. Each elongate member K has two longitudinally spaced members 32 projecting upwardly thereof, each of which is covered by a resilient sheath 34 of a rubber or plastic material to prevent upright B mounted on that arm. Two pulleys 3S and 40 I serve to guide the cable Q to a position adjacent the lower portion of the other upright B (FIGURE 1). The side pieces A adjacent the uprights B mounted thereon have first pulleys 42 rotatably supported therefrom, and the cables P and Q extend under the pulleys to pass upwardly to second pulleys 44.

The second pulleys 44 are rotatably supported on shafts 46 that are disposed'within the confines of U-sha-ped brackets 48 aifixed to the upper portions of the uprights B. The cablesv P and Q project downwardly from the pulleys 44 to extend up to third pulleys 50 that are rotatably mounted on shafts 52 supported in U-shaped brackets 54 rigidly connected to the sleeves J. Lengths of chain 58 are afiixed to the free ends 56 of the cables P and Q, and these lengths of chain are adapted to adjustably engage V-shaped notches 60 formed in the bracket 48, as can best be seen in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Two guide rods 62 (FIGURE 1) are spaced outwardly from the uprights B by conventional means, and are slidably engaged by U-shaped members 64 which project outwardly from the sleeves I to prevent rotation of the sleeves and the elongate members K relative to the uprights on which the sleeves are vertically movable. Due to the action of the guide rods 62 and members 64, rotation of the elongate members K out of parallel alignment is prevented, as is possible damage to the camper L by an end portion of one of the members K contacting the same.

The actuator D, as can best be seen in FIGURE 1, has at least one circumfcrentially extending slot 66 formed therein as well as a number of circumferentially spaced recesses 68 formed in the interior surface thereof that are in alignment with slot 66 as shown in FIGURE 5. A threaded rod 70 projects through the slot 66 and engages two diametrically aligned tapped bores 72 formed in one of the arms C, as best illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 5.

An outer portion of rod 70 is bent to define a handle 74. The opposite end portion 76 of rod 70 can engage any one of the recesses 68, and when in such engagement the particular arm C and side piece A associated with the rod are held in a fixed position relative to the actuator D. The threaded rod 70 serves to prevent the actuator D from inadvertently separating from the arm C associated with that particular threaded rod. A boss 78 projects upwardly from actuator D through which a tapped bore 80 projects, with the bore threadedly supporting a bolt 82. The head 84 of the bolt 82 can be adjusted to serve as a stop to limit the degree of rotation of the acutator D relative to the arms C. The bolt 82 is held in affixed adjusted position relative to the boss 78 by a lock nut 86.

The use and operation of the apparatus are relatively simple. The handles 74 are first rotated to separate the threaded rods 70 from engagement with the recesses 68. The handle E is then pivoted downwardly and rearwardly to cause the actuator D to act as a cam as it rotates relative to the arms C, and pivot side pieces A into the position shown in phantom line in FIGURE 1. The apparatus may then be moved to a position where the members K are centrally disposed relative to the camper body L, which is resting on ground surface.

Prior to so disposing the apparatus relative to the camper body L, the winch M is rotated toallow the members K to move downwardly on the uprights B to positions where they are situated below the inner portions 14 of the camper body L. The handle E is then pivoted upwardly and forwardly, with the actuator D again acting as a cam to concurrently pivot the arms C and side pieces A from the position shown in phantom line in FIGURE 1 to that shown in solid line in the same figure. At this point the flanges 30 are extending inwardly toward one another and disposed under the portions 14 of the camper body L. Thereafter, the winch M is rotated in a direction to move the members K upwardly, with this upward movement causing the edge portions 30a to contact the under surface of the portions 14, as may best be seen in FIGURE 4.

The members 32 covered with resilient sheathing 34 abut against the first sides 12 of the camper body L (FIG- URES 4 and 6) to prevent lateral movement of the camper body relative to the members K. The camper body L may then be raised to an elevated position on the apparatus where it is disposed above the bed of the vehicle R and is then lowered into the bed of the vehicle by use of the Winch M.

After the handle E has been used to pivot the arms C and sidepieces A to the position shown in solid line in FIGURE 1, and before the camper body L is lifted, the

handles 74 are rotated to force the ends 76 of the threaded rods 72 into one of the recesses 63 to lock the actuator D in a first position relative to the arms C. When the actuator D is so locked, the side pieces A cannot inadvertently move outwardly away from the camper body L to dislodge the same from the supports K. After the camper body L has been positioned on the vehicle R (FIGURE 6), the handles 74 are rotated to free the ends 76 from engagement with recesses 68 and thehandle E is then pivoted upwardly and forwardly as shown in FIGURE 1 to move the arms C and side pieces A in the manner shown in phantom line in that figure.

The lifting apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 1 may then be moved away from the vehicle R on which it has placed the camper body L. When it is desired to remove the cam-per body L from the vehicle R, the operation just described is simply reversed.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment thereof, and I do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for vertically moving a generally rectangular body, including:

(a) two laterally spaced elongate side pieces having forward and rear ends;

(b) two uprights afiixed to said side pieces adjacent said rear ends;

(c) two angularly dispose-d arms that extend inwardly towards one another from forward ends of said side pieces, with at least the adja-cently disposed portions of said arms being of circular transverse cross section;

((1) actuating means that comprise two tubular members in angular relationship which snugly and rotatably engage at least adjacently disposed portions of said arms;

(e) first means adjacent said rear ends of said side pieces for rnovably supporting the same; I

- (f) second means that movably support said arms and the forward portions of said side pieces;

(g) third vertically movable means for removably engaging opposite side portions of said body, which means is positioned adjacent to said surface;

(h) fourth means for vertically moving said third means and body supported thereby on said uprights;

(i) fifth means for rotating said actuating means relative to said arms, which means when rotating said actuating means in a first direction, moves said side pieces and uprights towards one another to dispose said third means where it can engage said side portions, which fifth means when rotating said actuating means in a second direction, moves said side pieces and uprights away from one another to separate said third means from said side portions; and- (j) sixth means for removably locking said actuating means to said arms to prevent inadvertent lateral movement of said side pieces and uprights when said third means is supporting said body.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second means comprise wheels rotatably supported from said side pieces and arms respectively.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said third means comprise two horizontal, elongate, rigid members of L-shaped transverse cross section, wit-h said elongate members having longitudinal horizontal portions that extend towards one another and removably engage said 1 body.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said third means comprise two horizontal, elongate, rigid members of L-shaped transverse cross section, and said elongate rigid members include horizontal, longitudinally extending flanges that extend upwardly and inwardly towards one another to removably engage said body.

5. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said fourth means include:

(a) a Winch;

(b) means for rotating said winoh;

(c) a bracket supporting said winch from one of said arms;

(d) two cables at least partially wound on said winch;

(e) means for guiding said cables to positions adjacent the lower ends of said uprights; I

(f) t-wo first pulleys rotatably supported adjacent said lower ends of said uprights that guide said cables upwardly along said uprights;

(g) two second pulleys rotata-bly supported on the upper portions of said uprights over which said cables extend;

(h) two third pulleys rotatably supported on said third means under which said cables extend from said second pulleys; and

(i) means for afiixing free ends of said cables to upper portions of said uprights, with said third means moving vertically as said cables are wound on or unwound from said winches.

6. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said fifth means comprises a handle that projects upwardly and forwardly from said actuating means.

7. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said sixth means comprises two threaded members that engage tapped bores formed in said arms, with said threaded members projecting through circumferentially extending slots for-med in said tubular members, and with the inner ends of said threaded members being adapted to engage recesses on the inner surfaces of said tubular members to lock said actuating means in a fixed position relative to said arms.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 which further includes:

(a) adjustable stop means contactable by said threaded members to limit the degree of rotation of said actuating means relative to said arms.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1964 Tew 254-47 12/1964 Ward 25447 

1. A DEVICE FOR VERTICALLY MOVING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR BODY, INCLUDING: (A) TWO LATERALLY SPACED ELONGATE SIDE PIECES HAVING FORWARD AND REAR ENDS; (B) TWO UPRIGHTS AFFIXED TO SAID SIDE PIECES ADJACENT SAID REAR ENDS; (C) TWO ANGULARLY DISPOSED ARMS THAT EXTEND INWARDLY TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER FROM FORWARD ENDS OF SAID SIDE PIECES, WITH AT LEAST THE ADJACENTLY DISPOSED PORTIONS OF SAID ARMS BEING OF CIRCULAR TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION; (D) ACTUATING MEANS THAT COMPRISE TWO TUBULAR MEMBERS IN ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP WHICH SNUGLY AND ROTATABLY ENGAGE AT LEAST ADJACENTLY DISPOSED PORTIONS OF SAID ARMS; (E) FIRST MEANS ADJACENT SAID REAR ENDS OF SAID SIDE PIECES FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING THE SAME; (F) SECOND MEANS THAT MOVABLY SUPPORT SAID ARMS AND THE FORWARD PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE PIECES; (G) THIRD VERTICALLY MOVABLE MEANS FOR REMOVABLY ENGAGING OPPOSITE SIDE PORTIONS OF SAID BODY, WHICH MEANS IS POSITIONED ADJACENT TO SAID SURFACE; (H) FOURTH MEANS FOR VERTICALLY MOVING SAID THIRD MEANS AND BODY SUPPORTED THEREBY ON SAID UPRIGHTS; 